UnitedHealth Group Inc will maintain several health coverage protections included in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) regardless of the Supreme Court's ruling on the law, says an article by Reuters.

UnitedHealth will continue to provide coverage for dependents up to age 26 under their parents' plan and offer certain preventive health care services, such as annual check-ups, screenings for high blood pressure and diabetes, and immunizations without requiring a copayment. The company also will continue to forgo lifetime dollar coverage limits on policies.

The other provisions to be maintained include providing clear ways for members to appeal coverage claim decisions and eliminating rescissions, which are generally considered to be retroactive policy cancellations, except in the case of fraud, says the article.

UnitedHealth, which is the largest US health insurer by market value and serves more than 38 million members, said the protections are effective immediately and will be available to current and future plan members.

ACA also bars insurers from denying coverage to children up to age 19 with preexisting medical conditions. UnitedHealth said that while it recognized the value of this provision, the company "cannot take that step" alone, but is "committed to working with all other participants in the health care system to sustain that coverage," says Reuters.